Special Resources for Reporters
Note: DEC uses its FTP site to post high-resolution images for reporters to use in conjunction with published stories. These images may be accessed at ftp://ftp.dec.ny.gov/dpae/press/
Images are organized into folders according to topic.
Blue whale discovered singing in New York coastal waters
For the very first time in New York coastal waters, the voices of singing blue whales have been positively identified through research program run by Cornell University and DEC. The full release is available on Cornell's website.Another Expansion of Recreation Opportunities in the Catskills
New York City, New York State and Catskills region officials have announced the launch of a new recreational boating pilot program at the Cannonsville Reservoir. The full release is available on the NYC Dept. of Environmental Protection website.
Recovery Act Funding to Accelerate Cleanup, Boost Economy, Create Jobs and Protect Human Health at Long Island Hazardous Waste Site--Old Roosevelt Field
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced between $5 million and $10 million in new funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 for the Old Roosevelt Field Superfund site in Garden City, New York. The money will accelerate the hazardous waste clean-up already underway at the site. The full release is available on the EPA's website.
Recovery Act Funding to Accelerate Cleanup, Boost Economy, Create Jobs and Protect Human Health at Long Island Hazardous Waste Site--Lawrence Aviation
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced up to $5 million in new funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 for the Lawrence Aviation Superfund site in Port Jefferson, New York. The money will accelerate the hazardous waste clean-up already underway at the site. It will also jumpstart the local economy by creating jobs in the Port Jefferson area. This Recovery Act funding is part of the $600 million that Congress appropriated to the Federal Superfund remedial program. The full release is available on the EPA's website
DEC, DOS Deliver Report on Protecting New York's Ocean and Great Lake Ecosystems
DEC and the Department of State, on behalf of the New York Ocean and Great Lakes Ecosystem Conservation Council, have delivered a report, "Our Waters, Our Communities, Our Future" to Governor David A. Paterson and the members of the State Legislature. It outlines an "ecosystem-based management" approach to protecting and enhancing shoreline water. This is a clear break with traditional, often segmented resource management methods. The full release can be found on the Department of State website.
Superfund Site Delisting Returns Once Contaminated Land to Community for Reuse and Redevelopment; EPA, New York State, and the Air Force cooperatively reach major milestone
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized its decision to remove 23 parcels, or approximately 2900 acres of property, on the former Griffiss Air Force Base from the Superfund National Priorities List (NPL). The full release is available on the EPA's website.
US EPA Awards Nearly a Half Billion Dollar Grant to New York to Create Jobs and Protect Human Health and the Environment
In the single largest grant in its history, the EPA today awarded more than $430 million to the State of New York for wastewater infrastructure projects that will create thousands of jobs, jumpstart local economies and protect human health and the environment across the state. The full release is available on the EPA's website.
DEC, Parks Announce Newest Bird Conservation Area
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation designated 1,514 acres of the Albany Pine Bush as a Bird Conservation Area - making it the 51st BCA established under a program designed to protect birds and enhance nearby bird habitats. The full release is available at the Parks Department website.
Beer Distributors Agree to Payments after DEC investigation
An investigation launched by DEC's Bureau of Environmental Crime Investigations has resulted in a $108,000 settlement to resolve alleged "Bottle Bill" violations in Chautauqua County. The full text of the release can be found at the Attorney General's website.
"Green LITES" Plan Puts Emphasis on Environmentally Friendly Transportation Designs
DEC is proud to support the New York State Department of Transportation's first-in-the-nation initiative that will encourage the designers of department projects to minimize impacts to the environment and promote sustainability in public transportation design. The full release can be found at the DOT website.
$1.4 Million in Grants Available for New York Land Conservation Initiatives in 2009
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Land Trust Alliance (Alliance), a not-for-profit land conservation organization, announce their seventh annual round of competitive grants for local land trusts under the New York State Conservation Partnership Program. The full text of the news release can be found at the Land Trust Alliance website .
New Internet-based Atlas to Monitor Health of State's Resources
DEC and the Department of State have announced the launch of the New York Ocean and Great Lakes Atlas, which allows the public to incorporate hundreds of data sets of New York State's resources into an internet-based atlas. The full text of the news release can be found at the Department of State website.
DEC, Attorney General Sue Junkyard Cited for Dozens of Long-running Environmental Violations
The state has sued the owners of a Washington County junkyard for years of environmental damage caused by allowing toxic chemicals to contaminate the air and nearby groundwater. The full text of the news release can be found at the Attorney General's website
DEC and Department of Justice Announce Guilty Pleas In Lawrence Aviation Case
Lawrence Aviation Industries, Inc. and its owner/operator plead guilty to illegally storing hazardous waste on Long Island. From the US Department of Justice website.
$1.2 Million Settlement for Orleans County Landfill Cleanup
Eight companies will pay a total of $1.2 million to reimburse DEC and the state for the cleanup of what's known as the Yager Road landfill in Albion, Orleans County. The full text of the news release can be found at the Attorney General's website.
DEC Asks Media Not to Call Dispatch Center
Calls to DEC 24-hour Dispatch Center
This is a reminder to media that reporters, producers and other representatives should NOT call the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) 24-hour Dispatch Center for information on ongoing emergencies and investigations.
Similar to the 911 system, the dispatch center is not intended to respond to public or media inquiries. In fact, such calls could delay or prevent DEC dispatchers from receiving and handling emergency calls.
This reminder is necessary because of recent instances of reporters and other media representatives calling the dispatch center for information on incidents such as wildland fires, search-and-rescue missions or other investigations.
The DEC Dispatch Center serves as a police dispatch for DEC's Environmental Conservation Officers and Forest Rangers, serving to coordinate safety of the officers and rangers in the field. During non-business hours, dispatchers also assist in coordinating responses for police authorities throughout the state. We continue to encourage the public to call this toll-free number and, if necessary, other appropriate law enforcement authorities immediately if someone witnesses an environmental violation or has an emergency.
In order to ensure their work to protect public safety is not compromised or interrupted, dispatchers will not provide information about any incident or investigation and will direct all reporters to the press office at 518-402-8000.
The DEC press office is always available to assist with media inquiries during non-business hours. On weekends, holidays, and after 5 p.m., media can call 518-402-8000 and either leave a message to be heard the next business day, or receive the contact information for the press officer on duty.
Date Set for Nation's 1st Auction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Allowances
Setting the stage for a new approach to combating climate change, Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) announced that the first auction in the nation for carbon dioxide pollution allowances will take place Sept. 10, 2008.
Auctions will be quarterly, with the second auction set for Dec. 17, 2008. In all likelihood, New York will participate in the second auction rather than the first.
The RGGI participants are Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont. The full release and supplemental materials about the design of the auction are available at the RGGI Inc. website.
2007 Deer Harvest and 2007 Black Bear Hunting Results
Hunters harvested approximately 220,000 deer in the 2007 season, a 16 percent increase over the previous season.
Bear harvest numbers increased in 2007 in all three of New York State's bear hunting ranges.
Indian Point Relicensing Petition- December 3, 2007
Governor Eliot Spitzer and Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo have announced the submission of papers to deny the relicensing of the Indian Point nuclear power plant. The papers filed with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) identify dangerous deficiencies - including those related to terrorism, earthquakes, evacuation plans, and the surrounding population density - in Entergy's relicensing application for Indian Point.
The state's petition and position are available. The full text of the press release is available on the Governor's Press Release website.
FAQs About Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative- October 24, 2007
The state has advanced regulations to implement a new "cap-and-trade" system to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by power plants. The system will require power companies to buy one pollution "credit'' for every ton of pollution. There is a question-and-answer primer available. The full text of the press release is available on the state Governor's Press Release website.
Penalty Seals Settlement with Owner of Illegal Broome County Mine- October 18, 2007
The state has announced a settlement with the owner of an illegal Broome County bluestone mine, requiring the owner to fully comply with state environmental protection laws and pay a penalty of up to $40,000. This press release was issued jointly by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the Office of the New York State Attorney General. The full text of the release is available on the Attorney General's website.
More about Special Resources for Reporters:
- 2008 Hudson Fulton Champlain Quadricentennial Mini-Grant Recipients - Names and organizations of Mini-Grant Recipients.
- Bear Harvest Comparison - 2007 - A table showing how bear harvest numbers increased in 2007 in all three of New York State's bear hunting ranges.
- 2007 Deer Harvest - Hunters harvested approximately 220,000 deer in the 2007 season, a 16 percent increase over the previous season.
